Classic Whips
MITCHELL TRAK OF TRAK TRANSPORTATION OFFERS TIPS FOR RIDING IN STYLE
By ALLISON KINNEY
MITCHELL TRAK, whose family owns the longstanding West End restaurant The Grapevine, has been interested in classic cars since childhood. He has shared his passion for collector vehicles with close relations for nearly as long as he has been able to drive. “I’ve always had a few of them working, to drive around my friends and family,” Trak says. He’s now extended this service to the Richmond area and beyond, opening Trak Transportation (traktransportation.com) over summer 2024. The chauffeur business offers a fleet of vintage luxury vehicles for hire, including a 1980s Silver Spur Rolls-Royce, 1990s Silver Spur II Rolls-Royce and 1990s Mercedes-Benz W140. Trak developed the idea for the transportation company while assisting with weddings through The Grapevine’s catering services. “Whenever we would cater and do these events, people would say, ‘Hey, do you have any grand exit vehicles?’ Now it really goes together. My wife [Rita Trak] is a wedding planner, we cater through the restaurant, we do mobile bars,” Trak explains. “We can really take care of the entire wedding — bar service, food, transportation — everything.” Richmond Bride spoke with Trak about his new venture and tips for hiring wedding transportation.
RICHMOND BRIDE: What are the advantages of hiring a transportation service?
MITCHELL TRAK: Ease of access; they don’t have to worry about that part at the end, or anytime. It’s not like you could just call [a rideshare vehicle]; this is the extra service. Especially if it’s a formal occasion, it’s a really nice entrance and exit. When you’re doing photos, it’s a really elegant look. Our drivers come ready with the red carpet, the Champagne if requested, the signs. People decorate the vehicles, too, whether it’s a birthday or a
“Just Married” sign. It’s the elegant touch that makes the di erence. Some folks hire us just for photos.
RB: How much should people plan to budget for wedding transit?
TRAK: We’re cheaper than a limousine service, cheaper than bus services. For a grand exit, you’re looking at a couple hundred bucks. Being an extra service through the restaurant and catering, I’m really big on taking care of [everyone], making sure they’re covered and they’re happy, and being a ordable.
RB: How far in advance should people book your services?
TRAK: Often, we know months in advance, but we’re happy to jump in on short notice. Luckily, we’ve got a few vehicles. The most popular, especially for Saturday wedding grand exits, is Miss Magnolia, our Rolls-Royce [Silver Spur II].
RB: Describe Trak’s fleet of vehicles. TRAK: All the cars are old; they’re classic. They’re not the new, sleek design, but they give a little bit of history. All our cars are named after ladies, and they each have a story. Lady Luna is a two-tone Silver Spur, and then we have Miss Magnolia, … Bertha [a Mercedes-Benz] — I haven’t tested it yet, but they say it’s somewhat bulletproof. And we’ve got Isabella, that’s our shuttle bus. It’s an old vehicle, but it’s very unique inside. It’s got a lot of amenities, from the karaoke machine to the 70-inch TVs, [and] you can use it for a formal event or as a party bus. This was an abandoned vehicle. The [original] driver was [named] Isabella, and she [was formerly a zoo tour bus driver]. From a zoo shuttle to a limo bus, the conversion was really cool; it was completely transformed.
RB: What’s the vehicle person limit?
TRAK: The bus is very flexible because it has bench seats. Comfortably, I would say 14 to 15. We recently did a wedding, and we carried the [bridal party] in the bus and then the bride and groom in the vehicles. We took the entire party with us. They used almost all the vehicles, which was cool. So, for one vehicle, I would say 15, and we, of course, o er discounts for more than one vehicle, and that would be around 20 [people].
RB: Are clients allowed to drive the classic cars without a chau eur?
TRAK: No, we provide a driver for insurance reasons, etc.
RB: How does it feel to o er this service for couples on their big day?
TRAK: It’s making me feel so good. The restaurant that we own keeps us pretty busy, but I love it. It’s what I’ve dreamed about for a while, to have these unique cars and to have them included in people’s special days.
The Lady Luna Rolls-Royce is available for wedding day transit and photo ops.
Mitchell Trak
The Wedding Tango
By JULINDA D. LEWIS
The newlyweds’ first dance is a popular tradition at many American wedding receptions. It can take a variety of forms — many couples opt for a basic ballroom-style dance, while others choreograph a routine that approaches a Broadway production. Lately, though, some couples have opted for something even more sensual and more dramatic: the Argentine tango.
“The tango is a little spicier than your usual ballroom dance flavors,” says Cristian Bravo who, with his wife, Anna Leon, opened Virginia Tango at 10049 Midlothian Turnpike in spring 2024. “It’s the dance of love. The first thing that you feel as a brand-new person is your mother’s embrace. Tango is the dance of the embrace.” Bravo also compares the tango to salsa dancing, saying that if salsa were a game
of checkers, tango is more like a game of chess. Bravo was born in Patagonia, Argentina, where his father, a former tango dancer who was sidelined by a knee injury, encouraged him to carry on the family tradition. After moving from his small town to Buenos Aires to study, Bravo was accepted into a professional company at age 17 and danced with tanguero Miguel Angel Zotto and his company, Tango x 2 (pronounced Tango por dos). Leon grew up in Los Angeles listening to tango music at her grandparents’ asados, the Argentinian equivalent of a cookout. After college, she deferred her intended interior design career to pursue her love of tango, splitting her time between the U.S. and Buenos Aires. Along the way, she met Bravo; the two married six weeks later and have been dancing together ever since. After traveling
the world, they settled in Richmond in 2017.
To Leon and Bravo, learning the tango is more than just a one-and-done experience. After the big day, newlyweds can dance on their honeymoon at tango clubs around the world that welcome visitors, then continue to dance for a lifetime. Serious enthusiasts hone their skills for decades.
Virginia Tango offers several options for couples looking to learn the tango. The studio has a free boot camp one Sunday per month where participants can sample the dance style.
To learn to move to a tango song and look like they’ve put a bit of effort into it, couples can join the basic program, which requires no prior experience. It consists of 12 weeks of classes plus a monthly social dance that is open to the public and includes home-cooked Argentinian food. Students may attend an hour-long class up to four times per week. The next semester begins in March 2025, and the fee is $600.
Couples who want to learn a dance specifically to impress their wedding guests should consider private lessons. A package of five classes, including choreography and music you can use for the big day, costs $725. A series of 10 private lessons costs $1,400, and 15 sessions cost $2,000. Leon and Bravo recommend booking a package at least one month prior to the wedding.
Leon and Bravo, the 2023 U.S. Argentine Tango Vals champions, are also available to hire for performances. The most common booking is a series of one to three tango songs performed for private functions. To see them perform in public, head out to one of the monthly classes at Studio Two Three in Manchester. The public socials offer time to dance as well as to connect with Argentinian culture. For more information, visit virginiatango.com
LEFT: Anna Leon and Cristian Bravo of Virginia Tango; BELOW: Leon and Bravo perform a dance routine at a Richmond Ballet gala.
From left: Parker Michels-Boyce; Kimmie James
M O NY and keep t he PARTY going
ENTERTAINMENT IS THE PIVOTAL ASPECT OF THE WEDDING RECEPTION. Without music and a master of ceremonies, the event can fall flat, with guests sitting in chairs under a hushed air of boredom. One surefire way to bring that necessary spark is to hire a live wedding band, and Richmond is fortunate to have a multitude of ensembles available. For fans of Motown, yacht rock and beyond, couples have a diverse range of sounds within easy reach. Performers can even incorporate elements from multiple genres into a single set — as Dance Candy band leader and trumpet player Mark Ingraham (aka Smoochie Jankins) puts it, “We do everything from ‘Stand by Me’ to ‘Back That Thang Up.’”
So how do you select just one band from the many options available? Start by pinpointing the mood and atmosphere you’re trying to establish. Are you looking for a classic, swing band-style affair or a get-Grandmaout-of-her-chair rock show? Be sure to factor in budget and venue size, and book early so you can lock in your performers of choice.
From trios to 40-piece arrangements, live musicians pride themselves on their sound and their contributions to the big day. Some fold surprises into their sets and have even honored unusual requests (go ahead and ask; they’ve heard it all). We spoke with five Richmond area wedding bands to get their takes on everything from tips for hiring performers to their current most-requested song.
GOOD SHOT JUDY
goodshotjudy.com
Eight- to 16-piece dynamic swing band led by lead vocalist Brett Cahoon
RICHMOND BRIDE: What’s the band’s origin story?
BRETT CAHOON: My brother [and Good Shot Judy bassist] Jeff and I grew up playing punk rock music together. I had an interest in jazz and big band music for probably the last 30 years or so, and it was just sort of a sideline thing. I learned to accompany myself on piano to sing some jazz standards. [After starting as a trio] in 2011, the band grew, and we played our first public performance in 2013. Now, the smallest ensemble is our eight-piece band, and during the holidays, we have a 20-piece mini orchestra for our holiday shows. The largest thing we do is perform with the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra — upwards of 40 people. I’ve seen some magical first dances and some really fairy tale-like wedding
stuff that I was really thrilled to be able to provide.
RB: How would you describe your sound?
CAHOON: We jokingly refer to the sound of Good Shot Judy as big-amp jazz, because of someone years ago who asked us to turn down “those big amps.” It’s high-energy swing, sort of like Sinatra on steroids.
RB: How does live music elevate a reception?
CAHOON: There’s just no substitution for live music. It’s a conversation and a transference of energy between the people performing and the people either listening or dancing, and it’s a two-way communication. I think it’s what’s so special about [weddings], that we come together to celebrate life that way.
(Opposite page) TRADITIONAL DRESS: To honor her Filipino heritage, the bride customized her gown with removable butterfly sleeves, which she wore during the ceremony.
(Clockwise from top left)
ALL IN THE DETAILS: The wedding invitations were created by online stationery designer Truly Engaging. The engagement ring and wedding bands were purchased at Blue Nile, and Grecielle’s crystal earrings were from Swarovski. She also carried a pin on her bouquet with photos of her mother, who passed away while Grecielle was in high school, and her Pomeranian, who died a year prior to the wedding.
A SWEET TREAT:
The couple’s wedding cake featured two flavors: red velvet and Champagne. They took the top tier home to preserve for enjoyment on their one-year anniversary.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD: Grecielle and Jason hosted their ceremony in The Je erson Hotel’s Empire Ballroom.
BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS:
The bride’s bouquet featured lilies, roses and eucalyptus. She also incorporated pieces of evergreen tree branches from her father-in-law’s property.
CHRISTINE & DAVID
FEB. 12, 2023
Photos by RENEE JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Regal Romance A
fter meeting at work and eventually bonding over their mutual love of tattoos, Christine Weeks and David Rainer went on their first date in October 2021. Just six months later, in May 2022, David surprised Christine with a proposal at one of her favorite spots in Richmond. He told her they were going to dinner at L’Opossum, but instead David drove to the mausoleum at Hollywood Cemetery. There, Christine saw flower petals and candles leading to marquee letters spelling out “Marry me.” “It was beautiful, and I cried,” Christine says.
The couple opted for a short engagement, planning their wedding for Feb. 12, 2023. After touring a couple of places, Christine found The Estate At River Run and immediately knew it was the right venue for their wedding. “It was beautiful, and I loved that it had antiques in it,” she says. “I’m an antique collector, and I’ve always loved the Victorian period. I wanted [my wedding] to be very Victorian, very regal.”
To achieve the look, Christine selected large candelabras and decor with gold accents. She also wanted the matrimony to have a “moody fairy tale” feel, so she chose dark colors for her florals and table settings. She incorporated greenery and branches to make guests feel as though they were stepping into another world.
Music played an important role in the couple’s special day. David’s gift to Christine was a song he created with friend and musician Natalie Tyer, who performed the song at the reception. The Richmond-based Silver Bullets band also played during the reception and helped Christine surprise her mom with a special performance of “Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys. “My mom’s name is Rhonda, and she always told me [The Beach Boys] wrote [that song] for her. It was extremely special to have that song played for us to share a mother-daughter dance,” Christine says.
It’s the intimate moments, like her mother-daughter dance and hearing David’s vows, that Christine appreciates most about the day.
SWEET
SYMPHONY: The couple was pleasantly surprised when The Estate At River Run o ered them the gift of a harpist for their special day.
PERFECT PLACE
SETTINGS: To fit the moody vibe of the wedding, each table was decked with a black tablecloth and black taper candles. The couple selected gold silverware and plates from RentE-Quip for a regal touch.
(Opposite page)
FIT FOR A QUEEN: Originally Christine didn’t want to wear a tiara, but her mom encouraged her to try one from Urban Set Bride. Once she saw the sparkling headpiece with her dress, she decided it was the perfect fit for her wedding aesthetic.
COORDINATOR:
FLORIST:
CATERER: Cater 2 Events
CAKE: Sweet Fix
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Amanda
Christine Haines Greenberg, The Hive Wedding Collective
B. June Floral Design
Perry
(Left, from top)
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: Christine asked two of her best friends to be a part of her wedding party. She’s known Judith (right) since high school and Katie (left) since fourth grade. “They’re really meaningful friends who have seen me through a lot of di erent stages of my life,” Christine says.
CREATIVE CAKE: The wedding cake, which included cherubs and ornate floral details, was inspired by the bride’s love of antiques.
KISS THE BRIDE: The couple shared a kiss as they walked down the
aisle after their ceremony, which took place in the venue’s Wedgewood Ballroom.
(Above, from top)
PUPPY LOVE: The bride’s bouquet featured roses, anemones and calla lilies. She also carried the dog tag of her late Boston terrier, Chef, on her bouquet. “He passed away a couple weeks before the wedding, and I just wanted to feel like he was there,” Christine says.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: Christine and David sourced their invitations from The Painted Papier on Etsy. The bride’s
engagement ring (left) is from James Allen, and the couple’s wedding bands (left) are from Diamonds Direct. The rings on the right are from Christine’s paternal grandmother, and the colorful flower brooch is from her maternal grandmother. They have both passed, but Christine wanted to honor them during her wedding.
(Opposite page) DRESSED TO THE NINES: The bride and groom posed for photos on River Run’s balcony. Christine’s Maggie Sottero dress was from Urban Set Bride. David purchased his suit from Jos. A. Bank.
KARLIE & LUKE
Dance the Night Away
MAY 25, 2024
Photos by KELLEY BLAKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Karlie Tarran and Luke Libraro met through an online dating site in 2019. After their first date at a wine bar in Chicago, Karlie says they “never stopped hanging out.” Five months later, at the onset of the pandemic, the couple moved to Richmond and began renovating their new home together. During a trip with friends in 2023, Luke proposed next to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, presenting Karlie with an engagement ring that had been passed down through her family. Upon their return to RVA, the couple worked with Dransfield Jewelers to design a new ring using the stones from the heirloom piece.
The couple selected Havana ’59 in Shockoe Bottom as their venue. They liked its all-inclusive approach and decor, eliminating the need to coordinate with multiple vendors. “We wanted fun and not serious,” Karlie says. “We wanted some traditional aspects of a wedding, but we really just wanted a celebration with the people who are important to us.”
Karlie and Luke also brought nontraditional aspects into their celebration. They walked each other down the aisle and opted out of reciting vows, privately exchanging marriage promises after their wedding day. Instead of a slow-paced first dance, they enthusiastically jumped and moved to the high-energy “Home” by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros.
Guests enjoyed a buffet-style dinner catered by Havana ’59 as well as a cigar bar on the upper level of the venue. The dance floor remained packed all night long. “During the reception, I would just stand at the top [floor] and watch everybody down on the dance floor having such a good time,” Karlie says. “Seeing everybody enjoy themselves was probably one of my favorite moments [of my wedding].”
TROPICAL AND TRADITIONAL:
The bride’s bouquet featured anthuriums, king protea and roses. “I wanted something bright and fun and colorful,” Karlie says.
PERSONAL TOUCH: Guests were given temporary tattoos featuring illustrations of the bride and groom along with their Australian shepherd, Rue.
(Opposite page) CROSS MY HEART: Karlie and Luke worked with photographer Kelley Blake to find unique settings, such as the Triple Crossing train tracks, for their wedding photos.
COORDINATOR:
The Dirty Blonde Stylist
FLORIST: Vogue Flowers
CATERER AND CAKE: Havana ’59
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Society 11:11
(Opposite page)
FUN VIBES: The bride paired quirky accessories with an o -the-shoulder gown from Urban Set Bride. The groom wore a plaid suit from 707 Fine Clothing.
(Clockwise, from top left)
SYMBOLS OF LOVE: Karlie designed the event invitations using Canva. Luke crafted their matching wooden wedding bands, a nod to their love of woodworking.
CLEVER KEEPSAKE:
The bride gifted her cousin Brandy an embroidered handkerchief to wipe away her tears. “I knew it would make her laugh, and she used it the whole wedding,” Karlie says.
HAND IN HAND:
The ceremony took place at 17th Street Market in front of their reception venue, Havana ’59. Tia Ballard, owner of Hello Love, o ciated.
TREASURED TRAYS:
The reception featured delicious dishes, such as the bride’s favorite, ropa vieja, along with salmon and chicken. Sweets included tres leches cake and vegan, gluten-free desserts from Minglewood Bake Shop.
PARTY TIME: Karlie changed into a colorful sparkly dress, which she borrowed from a friend, to fit the reception’s fun vibe. “Our friends love to dance,” she says about the packed dance floor.
